Stars of the future

RYA Regional Youth Championship winners announced

The talents of the UK’s most promising young sailors, windsurfers and powerboaters were celebrated today as the winners of the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards were revealed at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show.

The awards were presented at London’s magnificent Alexandra Palace by four time Laser World Championship medallist Nick Thomson in recognition of the outstanding achievement and performance of young people across the range of activities the RYA represents.

The RYA Regional Youth Champions winners are:

RYA Eastern Youth Champion: Max Oscroft
RYA North West Youth Champion: Bobby Hewitt and Harvey Martin
RYA North East Champion: Harry Myers
RYA South East Youth Champion: Ben Jelf
RYA South West Youth Champion: Jamie Harris
RYA Southern Youth Champion: Natasha Lambert
RYA West Midlands Youth Champion: Sarah Norbury
RYA Cymru Wales Youth Champion Mari Davies
RYA Yorkshire and Humberside Youth Champion: Henry Rastrick
RYA Scotland Youth Champion: Calum Rosie
RYA East Midlands Youth Champion: Eleanor Craig
RYA Northern Ireland Youth Champion: Sarah Eames

RYA Sport Development Manager Duncan Truswell commented: “At the RYA we believe it’s really important to recognise people on every level and these youngsters are all so passionate about their sport and they all put in the extra effort. Of course, all this wouldn’t be possible without the support of their parents, guardians, coaches, trainers, club officials and friends. Our congratulations go to all the worthy Regional Youth Champion winners – some of them are undoubtedly the rising stars of the future and I’m sure many may indeed follow in the footsteps of our successful Olympians, world champions and record breakers.”

West Midlands Youth Champion Sarah Norbury and Cymru Wales Youth Champion Mari Davies sail together and were both delighted to have their achievements recognised.

Mari commented: “We’ve had a really busy year and it was a real honour to have our Youth Champion awards presented by Nick Thomson. We were thrilled to win bronze medal at the 420 Junior European Championships in Gdynia, Poland last August – just a month after representing Great Britain at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Portugal, where we finished 10th. The RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show is great opportunity for us to go around and thank all our sponsors for their support over the past year and just being with so many other competitive sailors has really inspired us for the season ahead.”

The Youth Champion awards winners have been selected by the RYA’s 13 regional committees.